The Canadian Report – Your Monthly Destination for Canadian Basketball News

by NBA News

By Hailey Salvian

Basketball in Canada, now more than ever, is in a golden age.

With men, women and teens representing the country on International, college and professional stages the sport has never been in a better place.

With the growth and recent dominance of Canada Basketball, the NBA is pleased to introduce “The Canadian Report,” your new monthly stop for all things Canada hoops.

And what better month is there to talk hoops than October?

NBA IS BACK

After an offseason filled with big-money roster moves, the NBA drew the curtain on its 2017-18 regular season with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics tipping off Tuesday night. Tristan Thompson of Brampton, Ont., was the first Canadian to hit the court, and added 5 points and 6 rebounds in the Cavs’ 102-99 win over the Celtics.

Wednesday was a big night for Canada in the league, with nine players making their season, and NBA debuts. Dillon Brooks, the 2017 45th overall pick, had a historic night with the Memphis Grizzlies. The former Oregon standout, and Pac 12 Player Of The Year had 19 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 steals and 2 blocks – the most points ever by a Canadian in their NBA debut.

Brooks was the first Canadian drafted last season, making it eight straight years that a Canuck has been chosen in the NBA Draft.

Long gone are the days when there were only two or three Canadians in the entire league. Canada is now second only to the U.S. in the production of NBA players. In 2016, 11 Canadians were featured on the NBA’s opening rosters. And, this season Canada leads the way for the fourth straight year with 12 players in the world’s greatest basketball league.

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Courtesy @CanBball

Possibly the biggest Canadian storyline coming out of NBA training camps and the preseason is Andrew Wiggins’ five-year contract extension, reportedly worth $148 million. The extension makes Wiggins the highest-paid Canadian athlete, and launches him into the upper ranks of NBA earners.

The 22-year-old is durable, having only missed one game in his first three seasons. The former rookie of the year (2014-15) posted a career high 23.6 points per game last season.

“I’m very excited to continue my career with the Timberwolves,” Wiggins said in a statement issued from the team. “I love it here. The fans and organization have supported me from my first day here in Minnesota.”

The former first-overall draft pick also said, “the best is yet to come.”

And, so far in week one, Wiggins is making good on his promise. In the Timberwolves’ season opener Wiggins netted 26 points and added 5 rebounds. On Sunday night, Wiggins silenced any doubts if he was worth a maximum-contract when he iced a game-winning buzzer beating three against the Oklahoma City Thunder, finishing the game with 27 points.

Of course, other Canadians made their starts this season, some in some new threads too. Kelly Olynyk debuted with the Miami Heat after signing a $50 million free-agent contract, and Cory Joseph debuted with the Indiana Pacers after being traded by his hometown Toronto Raptors.

Fresh-off a successful rookie campagin, Jamal Murray has a chance to step up and be the starting point guard for the Denver Nuggets. Coach Michael Malone penciled Murray’s name as the starter in Tuesday’s season-opener, but Murray only played 19 minutes, splitting time with Emmanuel Mudiay. In seven starts last season, the Kitchener-native averaged 13.6 points and 4.3 assists.

Beside Murray this year is fellow-Canadian Trey Lyles who was dealt to the Nuggets from the Utah Jazz this offseason.

And, Anthony Bennett is still looking for an NBA home. The former No. 1 overall pick was picked up by the Phoenix Suns in September, but was waived by the team late in the preseason.

Full list of Canadians in the NBA this season:

Andrew Wiggins Minnesota Timberwolves
Tristan Thompson Cleveland Cavaliers
Trey Lyles Denver Nuggets
Jamal Murray Denver Nuggets
Kelly Olynyk Miami Heat
Cory Joseph Indiana Pacers
Dwight Powell Dallas Mavericks
Tyler Ennis Los Angeles Lakers
Dillon Brooks Memphis Grizzlies
Khem Birch Orlando Magic
Nik Stauskas Philadelphia 76ers
Chris Boucher* Golden State Warriors

*Denotes player signed to two-way contract

Not excited enough for the season? Check out the top plays from Canadians in last season:

Making Waves

The NBA isn’t the only place where Canadians are making waves in the world of basketball. To wit:

2019 FIBA World Cup
On the Canadian side of the bench in the gold medal win was Ryerson University head coach Roy Rana. After making Canadian history in Cairo, Egypt, Rana was named head coach of the Senior Men’s National Team, which will begin its quest to qualify for the 2019 FIBA World Cup next month.

Rana will be on the bench for their first two games against the Bahamas and Dominican Republic. Canada’s Senior Men’s National Team are currently ranked 24th in the world and eighth in the Americas.

Jay Triano, who also acts as the head coach of the Senior Men’s National Team was named the interim head coach of the Phoenix Suns on Sunday night. With this news the question is now raised – will Rana stay behind the bench for Canada for the long-term?

Canadians Overseas
Rana seems to be at the helm of a few Canadian basketball storylines, with one of his former players being drafted into the NBA G League. Aaron Best, who led Ryerson to their first of two back-to-back OUA Championships in 2016, was drafted to the Long Island Nets in the league’s draft on Saturday. Best was then traded to the reigning champions, the Raptors 905, bringing him back home to Toronto where he grew up. Best was playing for Juventus in the Lithuanian Division 1 League when he was drafted.

And while there may not have been any Canadian women in the WNBA Finals this year, there are many playing and making an impact overseas. Michelle Plouffe had 21 points, nine rebounds, six assists and four steals in Tarbes’ loss to Lattes Montpellier in France.

Also, Jamie Scott led her Spanish pro team Ferrol with 21 points, for rebounds and three assists in their win earlier this month.

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